ISSUE FOCUS 32 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2023 all, selected polyphenols should dispose of multiple antioxidant mechanisms such as a 1. broad-spectrum neutralization of different radical types (i.e. scavenging power), 2. significant recycling of oxidized in vivo antioxidants (i.e. regenerating power), 3. active stimulation of the endogenous antioxidant system (i.e. upregulating power) Dietary polyphenols of such a versatile nature will reduce oxidative body damage to a significant level. Firstly, this will allow a higher integrity of cells or in other words save endogenous resources. Secondly, such diverse antioxidant modes of protection against radicals, will result in a better or more efficient functioning of mitochondria in producing metabolic energy (ATP). By doing so, much more nutrients will become available for production and will not be redirected or lost to the oxidative repair of injured cells for body maintenance. Therefore, under stressful field conditions, such polyphenols will keep the animal’s metabolism in a balanced state of (energy) homeostasis, by efficiently closing the ‘antioxidant gap’. IMPROVED EGG PRODUCTION In this article, an interesting layer trial is described. A synergistic and concentrated blend of carefully selected natural extracts – fully complying with above polyphenolic criteria - was evaluated as a possible antioxidant solution in a practical research facility (Brazil, 2022). A total of 192 Hisex Brown® phase 2 laying hens of 55 weeks old, were kept for 4 subperiods of each 30-days long in the same house. All birds were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (Control, 0.5 and 1 kg/t ELIFE® antioxidant supplementation). This way, all groups were standardized on equal body weight and egg production rate at the start of the trial. All birds had free access to water and feed, being a standard commercial corn-soy based diet. Throughout the entire experiment, laying rate was consistently higher for both antioxidant dosages compared to control. Overall, over the 16 weeks of trial, both supplementation groups achieved a significant improvement (p < 0.05) of resp. 3.5 and 4.0 percentage points compared to the control group (Figure 1). This translated into resp. 4.0 and 4.5 eggs more per hen over the entire test period (or resp. 35 and 41 eggs more per 1000 hens per day). Therefore, the phytogenic blend improved persistency of the hens’ laying curve (i.e. prolonged their high egg producion rate during phase 2 of lay). Due to an additional improvement in average egg weight, both supplemented groups yielded a higher Egg Mass Production versus control during the entire experiment (Figure 2). Overall, across the total evaluation period, this resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in EMP of resp. 5.8 and 5.7 % compared to the control group. Figure 1. Overall egg laying rate across the supplementation trial (a,b at p<0.05) Figure 2. Time course of Egg Mass Production throughout the trial (a,b at p<0.05)
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